An Unprecedented Effort After Two Thousand Years: Reprint Article - Akhand Jyoti Magazine, November 1992

Abstract

From November 7-10, 1992, the first Ashwamedh Yagya under the Dev Sanskriti Digvijay Campaign of the All World Gayatri Pariwar was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. During that period, the entire November 1992 issue of Akhand Jyoti magazine was dedicated to the 'Ashwamedh Yagya.' This special edition is a book in itself, which clarifies misconceptions from the medieval period based on scriptures and reveals the true purpose and objectives of the Ashwamedh Yagya. An article from this special edition, "An Unprecedented Effort After Two Thousand Years," is being reprinted here.

The rise of divinity in humans and the reconstruction of the nation is the core objective of Vedic culture, Indian culture, and Dev culture. This process is accomplished through a successful Ashwamedh. To realize the dream of Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya, the founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, of the rise of divinity in humans, the founder of the Gayatri Pariwar, Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma, under her guidance, initiated the Dev Sanskriti Digvijay Ashwamedhik Campaign and resolved to conduct 108 Ashwamedh Mahayagyas. Under this campaign, 47 Ashwamedhs have been completed so far.

According to historian Bronske, the Ashwamedh ritual was not a political conquest campaign but a cultural conquest campaign. The purpose of these great Yagyas was to awaken faith in national deities and life values, to teach ways of living. These efforts for cultural unity made the nation strong, capable, and steadfast at the political, geographical, and emotional levels. The Shatapatha Brahmana considers the nation and Ashwamedh to be inseparable.

In Indian history, many kings conducted Ashwamedh Yagyas to fulfill the above objectives. Along with the accounts of legendary kings like Rajarshi and the famous devotee Ambarish, Prithu, and others, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, King Yudhishthira, and Janamejaya also conducted Ashwamedh Yagyas. After Janamejaya conducted the Ashwamedh, the tradition of Ashwamedh became disorganized. The consequences of this disorganization appeared as political disintegration, decline in prosperity, and deterioration of life values in the nation.

Understanding the seriousness of the situation, General Pushyamitra conducted the Ashwamedh ritual in 185 BC to reorganize the nation's strength. After Pushyamitra, India's strong position continued until Agnimitra and Vasumitra. Later, in the course of time, the links were scattered, which were reorganized through the Ashwamedh effort by Emperor Chandragupta I's son and the second emperor of the Gupta dynasty, Samudragupta. The subsequent Ashwamedhs conducted by later kings were mere symbolic acts. They lacked cultural splendor, emotional breadth, and the ability to impart life wisdom to the masses.

The current series of Ashwamedh Mahayagyas by the Gayatri Pariwar can be considered the first real and successful effort since Emperor Samudragupta. Through these Mahayagyas, not only will the historical events of ancient India be repeated, but their positive results will also manifest as the rise of Satyug (Golden Age), prosperity, expansion of knowledge and science, the emergence of a world nation, and the widespread realization of the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).